Ronald A. Jacob, Sr.

Ron Jacob, 87, died peacefully in his sleep at home on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and lived in his parents’ house until his graduation from Tulane University in 1960. His boyhood fascination with electronics and ham radio led naturally to his degree in electrical engineering. As Air Force ROTC paid for his education, he joined the service as a second lieutenant, marrying Joyce Planche on Thanksgiving Day in1960. In 1963, he left the Air Force (as a first lieutenant) to work for the Chrysler Corporation, helping to design a Saturn rocket that was part of the early Apollo program. After Chrysler, he went back to the Air Force as a civilian. In 1969, he earned a master’s degree from Tulane, moved back to Florida, and worked at Eglin AFB until the Air Force lent him to SHAPE Technical Center in The Hague, Netherlands, from 1978 to 1981. Following those three exciting years in Europe, he returned to finish his career at Eglin, retiring in 1998 as the highest-ranking civilian on base.

Ron is survived by his two children: Holly Zook (and husband, Brian) of San Antonio, TX; and Ron Jacob, Jr., (and wife, Margaret, who was his primary caregiver for his last two years) of Shalimar, Florida; as well as four grandchildren: Lauren Zook of Cambridge, Mass.; Melanie Quinn (and husband, Denny) of Washington, D.C.; Jillian Jacob (and husband, Steven Meyer) of Metairie, Louisiana; and Beverly Jacob, who is about to enter her final year at Tulane University in New Orleans. The family is particularly grateful to Gayle Ammons, who looked after his medicines and general well-being, and all the caregivers with Visiting You Senior Home Care, who provided truly excellent care as Ron struggled with the loss of his wife in 2023 and advancing dementia.

Ron’s funeral will be Friday, June 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Simon’s on the Sound Episcopal Church, 28 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, and his remains will be placed in the church columbarium next to Joyce’s. To express condolences and sign the guestbook, please visit daviswatkins.com.